Bert Steele and family selected for Boulder County Business Hall of Fame

Seth Steele was hard at work at Niwot Market on March 31 when a 10-member contingent of Niwot residents and business people entered the market, looking for him and his sister, Alison Steele.

Seth greeted everyone, but wasn't sure where Alison was. Linda Vehrenkamp, proprietor of The Nook, one of several small businesses that operate out of the Niwot Market, left the group and tracked Alison down.

At the same time, Carey Mason, who had been enjoying lunch at the market, joined the group. Mason then congratulated Seth and Alison Steele on the selection of their father, Bert Steele, and the Steele family for induction into the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.

There were no dry eyes when Mason, a member of the board of directors of the Boulder County Business Hall of Fame, made the announcement, honoring the legacy of the late Bert Steele, who passed away on August 7, 2023, after a short battle with cancer, and the Steele family, which has continued to operate the market as the hub of the Niwot community for over twenty years.

The Hall of Fame nomination was made by Cotton Burden and Bruce Warren, Niwot businessmen who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2022, respectively. Tim and Carrie Wise of Wise Buys Antiques, Niwot business owners for almost 40 years, were instrumental in organizing the nomination.

Others present who had supported the nomination included Kevin Dooley, Deb Fowler, Kathy Koehler, David Limbach, Vicki Maurer, Samagra Melville and Anne Postle.

In her letter in support of the nomination, Kathy Koehler of the Niwot Historical Society wrote, "[From his parents], Bert learned the importance of integrating a business into the community and building strong relationships with customers....Bert Steele was not only a business owner but also a mentor to other small business owners."

Osmosis Art and Architecture owner Anne Postle wrote, "Bert Steele is a hero and a legend in the small unincorporated town of Niwot. When it comes to community service, it is hard to find anyone more willing to donate his time and resources to serve his community.... Niwot Market is so much more than just an independent grocery store....We miss seeing Bert there, but his daughter Alison and his son Seth have seamlessly filled Bert's shoes. They are fulfilling Bert's legacy to the community."

Tony Santelli, former Niwot Business Association president and former owner of the Niwot Tavern, wrote, "How does one spell Giant. I spell it Bert Steele, the founder and past owner of Niwot Market, and a Niwot icon. Niwot's man of all seasons."

Niwot businessman Cotton Burden wrote, "I have been a Niwot resident for 38 years and a Niwot business owner for 29 of those years. I have firsthand knowledge of Bert's investment in his business, his customers, and his community. I cannot remember a time while Bert was living when I went to the Market and Bert was not there."

The induction ceremony will be held the evening of September 17, 2025, at the Boulder Jewish Community Center. The event is open to the public with online registration opening later in the summer at the organization's website.